Rotary earth boring drill



Jan. 8, 1963 A. H. BENDIXEN 3,072,203

ROTARY EARTH BORINGy DRILL Filed Jan. 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l 8 m l lh 1I Ni |:I 9 l I 2 l INVENTOR. ALF H. BENDIXEN MWI ATTORNEY.

Jan. 8, 1963 A. H. BENDIXEN ROTARY EARTH BORING DRILL Filed Jan. 26.1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ALF H. BEN DIXEN BVM/@a4 ATTORNEY.

United State 3,072,203 ROTARY EARTH BUG DL Alf H. Bendixen, Windsor,Vt., assignor to `loy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 788,896 16Claims. (Cl. 175-114) This invention relates to earth boring drills andmore particularly to -a hydraulic rotary drill having improved rotationand feeding means for the drilling implement.

An objects of the present invention is to provide an improved rotarydrill having improved rotation and feeding means for the drillingimplement whereby the latter may be operated at variable speeds. Anotherobject is to provide an improved drill having improved feeding meansproviding a wide range of feeding speeds to suit varying drillingconditions. A further object is to provide an improved differentialdriving means between the rotation tand feed of the drill whereby suchVariable yfeeding speeds may be effected. A still further object is toprovide improved rotating means for a drilling implement wherein anelongated rotating frame member carries elements of the drill feedingmeans land having improved bearing mounting means for the rotatingmember. Yet another `object is to provide a lfeeding means of the chainland sprocket type wherein an endless chain element of the feed isguided for circulation relative to the elongated rotating frame memberwhich carries the drilling implement, `and the endless chain revolvesbodily with the rotating member while feeding the drilling implement`axially relative to the rotating member. Still another object is toprovide an improved differenti-al feed gearing for -a rotary drill. Astill further object is to provide an improved rotary drill yframestructure on which the drill rod is detachably mounted for rotationtherewith and for axial feeding movement relative thereto. These andother objects 'and advantages of the invention will, however,hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustrationone form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away of a rotarydrill constructed in accordance with a preferred illustrative embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken axiallythrough the forward portion of the drill shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross `section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged central longitudinal vertical section taken online `4--4 of FIG. 3, illustrating structural details.

FIG. 5 is a detail section taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 4, illustrating aportion of the drill feed.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3,showing a portion of the feeding connection with the drilling implement.

FIG. 7 is a detail cross section taken on line '7-7 of FIG. 6.

In this illustrative construction, `as shown in the drawings, theimproved rotary drill comprises an elongated guide frame 1 supported bya tiltable supporting frame 2 pivotally mounted at 3 on `a suitablesupport 4. The guide frame 1 has a ,front end member 5 engageable withthe face of the work for steadying the guide frame during the drillingoperation. A hydraulic jack 6 connected between the support 4 and thetiltable supporting frame 2 serves to tilt the drill guide frame aboutits pivot and to hold the same in adjusted position. The

3,072,203 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 (ice drill frame has spacedlongitudinally thereof upstanding bearing supports 7 supporting bearings8` by which an elongated rotatingframe element or rotary body 9 isjournaled. This elongated rotating body comprises cylindrical front andrear end portions or heads 10 and 11 connected by tubular members and adrilling implement y12 is mounted centrally on the rotating body forrotation therewith and for 'feeding movement axially relative thereto aslater explained. Carried by the rear portion of the guide frame 1 is agear housing 13 containing differential gearing and other drive elementslater described, driven by motors 14 and 15 herein desirablyconventional hydraulic motors which operate to effect rotation of thedrilling implement and also to effect axial feed and retraction of thedrilling implement through a relatively wide range of speeds.

The elongated rotary body 9 may 'assume various forms but herein thetubular connection between the end heads 10 and 11 comprises `a centraltube 1S secured at its rear portion at 19 within the rotary -rear head11 and at its front end to the `front head 10 and secured as by weldingto the exterior of this central tube are four circumferentially `spacedtubes 20 and the sides of the central tube are llongitudinally slottedat 21 at diametrically opposite points throughout a substantial portionof the length of the tube. A sliding cross or thrust head member 22. is-guided in the bore 23 of the central tube and has lateral wings or arms24 extending outwardly through the slots 2l into the bores of a pair ofdiametrically opposite tubes 20, as shown in FIG. 7. The drillingimplement is herein desirably in the form of :a tubular drill rod 25having a threaded rear end 26 secured Within a threaded socket 27 withinthe thrust head 22 (FIG. 6), and carries a :conventional detachabledrill bit 28 at its outer end, as shown in FIG. 2. Carried within afront bracket 29 yof the drill frame is a bearing bushing 30 withinwhich the drill rod is guided, for centering the bit particularly duringstarting of a hole.

Endless feed chains 33 extending generally longitudinally within theelongated rotary body 9 pass around rear drive sprockets 34 on the rear'head 11 and front idler sprockets 35 on the front head 10, and theidler Sprockets are mounted on -armlike supports or links 36 pivoted at37 on a cross equalizer yoke 38 located within the hollow interior ofthe front head 10, as shown in FIG. 2. This yoke is pivoted at 39 on anadjustable sleeve 40 provided with suitable adjusting and locking nuts41 abutting the liront face of the head. The feed chains have theirparallel runs which travel in the same direction suitably attached at 43to the arms 24 of the thrust head member 22.

The rotation motor 14 is desirably of the intermeshing rotor-gear typeand has one shaft 45 connected by a coupling 46 to a shaft 47 suitablyjournaled within a housing 4S containing an endless drive chain 49. Asprocket 50 on the shaft 47 engages and drives the chain 49 which passesaround a relatively large sprocket 51 secured to the tubular rear head11 of the elongated rotating body 9. A parallel motor shaft 52 drives abevel gear 53 meshing with bevel planet gears S4 journaled on atransverse shaft 55 supported within a rotary carrier or yoke frame 56suitably journaled within the gear housing 13. The bevel planet gearsmesh with a bevel gear 57 secured to a longitudinally extending shaft 58also suitably journaled within the gear housing 13. Keyed to this shaftis a chain sprocket 59 connected by an endless drive chain 60 containedin a housing 61, to a relatively large drive sprocket 62. The chainsprocket is keyed to a longitudinally extending shaft 63 coaxial withthe elongated rotating body 9 and suitably journaled within bearingssupported within a gear housing 64 -secured to the rear portion of therear head 11 of the elongated rotating body 9. Secured to the front endof this shaft is a bevel gear 65 meshing with and driving oppositelyrotating bevel gears 66 and 67 secured to the chain sprockets 34. Thechain and sprocket drive connections 49, 50, 51 and 59, 60, 62 are soproportioned and the differential gearing is so constructed that themotor 14 may rotate the elongated rotating body 9 while the feed remainsinactive.

The feeding motor 15, which is reversible, has its shaft 70 keyed to alongitudinally extending shaft 71 suitably journaled within the gearhousing 13 and lying within the orbit of the drive chain 60 (FIG. 4).Secured to and driven by this shaft is a bevel gear 72 meshing with abevel gear 73 secured to a transverse shaft 74 likewise suitablyjournaled within the gear housing 13. Secured to the `shaft 74 is `aworm 75 meshing with and driving a worm wheel 76 secured to the planetgear carrier frame 56 (FIG. 4). This worm gearing is self locking and attimes may serve to lock the planet carrier frame against rotation andwhen the latter is locked the motor 14 drives through the endless chain49 the elongated rotating body 9 without feed due to the fact that atthat time the bevel gear 65 rotates at the same speed as the rotatingbody with no turning of the chain sprockets 66 and `67 about their ownaxes of rotation.

The intermeshing rotor-gear rnotor 14 has its shafts 45 and 52 rotatingat the same speed in opposite directions and when the planet carrierframe 56 is locked against rotation the sprockets 50 and 59 rotate atthe same speed in the same direction as the shaft 45. Under thiscondition the drive imparts rotation to the elongated rotating body 9thereby rotating the drill rod while the latter remains stationary asregards bodily axial movement.

In order to effect axial feed of the drill rod forwardly toward the workthe hydraulic motor 15 may be operated to drive through the bevel gears72, 73 and worm gearing 75, 76 thereby causing the differential gearing54, 57 to drive the sprocket 59 at a different speed from the speed ofrotation of the sprocket Sil thereby to effect the feeding operation andby varying the speed of the motor 15 the rate of feed may be varied asdesired. By reversing the motor 15 the drill rod may be fed axially awayfrom the working face at variable speeds in a like manner.

Any suitable source of fluid under pressure may be embodied within themachine and may comprise a motor driven yfiuid pump connected to a fluidreservoir, for supplying liquid under pressure to a Valve box havingcontrol valves for separately controlling the motors 14 and 15.

When the improved rotary drill is set up at the working face andproperly positioned with respect to the work with its front supportresting against the face, the motors 14 and 15 may be operated to rotatethe drilling implement and to feed the drilling implement at theselected speed to effect drilling. The rotation motor y14 may beoperated to drive the chain sprockets 51 and 62, to rotate the elongatedrotating body 9 together with the drill rod secured for rotationtherewih. At this time the planet carrier frame 56 is locked againstrotation by the Worm gearing 75, 76 with the feeding means inoperative,and when the reversible motor is operated the planet carrier frame 56may be rotated in one direction or the other through the worm gearing75, 76 to cause drive of the chain sprocket 62 and feed sprockets 34 toeffect feed of the drill rod axially relative to the elongated rotatingbody 9 and speed variations may be obtained by operating the feed motorat varying speeds, either faster or slower as desired. Drive of thesprockets 34 causes the feed chains 33` to be circulated within theparallel tubes causing either forward feed or retraction of the drillrod through the sliding thrust head 22 to which the drill rod issecured,

and as the drill rod is moved axially it slides longitudinally withinthe guide-bore of the central bodytube 18. It will thus be seen that therotation of the drill rod through the elongated rotating vbody 9 may ibeconstant" or may be varied by varying the motor speed, `and when theplanet carrier frame 56 is driven through the worm gearing the feedingspeed may be varied likewise by varying the motor speed. By operatingthe reversible motor 15 in either direction to rotate the planet carrierframe 56 in one direction or the other the feeding speed may beincreased or decreased as desired. A further variation in the feedingspeed may be effected by varying the speed of the motor 15.

Evidently if desired in lieu of the cylindrical drill rod 25 rods ofother cross sectional shapes may be employed, and flighted augers may beused interchangeably with the drill rod. The drill rod is supportedwithin the central tube 18 of the elongated rotating body 9 and iscontinuously supported with no relative rotation between the drill rodand the central tube. The pivoted equalizer yoke 38 provides `a selfadjusting feed chain equalizer.

As a result of this invention an improved rotary earth boring drill isprovided especially adapted to relatively long feeds and having arelatively wide range of feeding speeds to suit varying drillingconditions. By the provision of the elongated rotating body journaled onthe guide frame and the drill rod supported and guided within therotating body adequate support ofthe drill rod is afforded while arelatively long feed is made possible. The differential gearingcontrolled by the reversible motor connected therewith enables slowingdown or speeding up of the feed speed as desired. By the provision ofthe self-locking worm gearing for driving the planet gear carrier framethe latter may at times be locked against rotation or may be rotated ineither of opposite directions to speed up or decrease the rate of feedas desired. The improved drill structure is not only relativelyefficient in operation and variable in feed speed but is also relativelysimple and rugged in design, well adapted to withstand the demands ofservice. These and other advantages of the invention will be clearlyapparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it will be understood Ithat thisform is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may bemodified and embodied in various other forms without departing from itsspirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A drilling apparatus comprising, an elongated rotatable body having adrill steel rotatable therewith and rectilinearly movable relativethereto, a rst differential drive mechanism having certain portionsthereof rotatable with said body, another portion of said firstdifferential drive being rotatably connected to said body and cooperablewith said certain portions but being rotatable independent of therotation of said body, a second differential drive mechanism having theoutput thereof operatively connected to said another portion of saidfirst differential drive, rst power means for rotating said body andsaid another portion through said second differential drive mechanismrespectively, second power means operable in either of oppositedirections and having the output thereof drivingly connected to the yokeframe of said second differential drive mechanism for varying the speedand direction of rotation of such output of said second differentialdrive, and means connected to said certain portions and to said drillsteel for moving said drill steel rectilinearly relative to said body.

2. A drilling apparatus comprising, an elongated rotatable hollow bodyhaving a rectilinearly movable drill steel rotatable therewith andlocated centrally thereof, planet bevel gears of a first differentialdrive mechanism being rotatably secured to said body, another portion ofsaid rst differential -drive being rotatably connected to said body andin meshing engagement with said planet bevel gears but being rotatableindependent of the rotation of said body, a second differential drivemechanism having the output thereof connected to said another portion`of said first differential drive, first power means for rotating saidbody and said another portion through said second differential drivemechanism respectively, second power means operable in either ofopposite directions and having the output thereof drivingly connected tothe yoke frame of said second differential drive mechanism for varyingthe speed and direction of rotation of such output of said seconddifferential drive, a thrust block reciprocably disposed in said bodyhaving said drill steel connected thereto, and chain means connected tosaid planet bevel gears and to said thrust block for moving said drillsteel rectilinearly relative to said body.

3. Apparatus comprising, a member mounted for rectilinear and rotatablemovement, a differential drive establishing mechanism having the outputportions thereof cooperable to effect rectilinear movement of saidmember in either of opposite directions, means connected to said memberand to said output port-ions for causing rectilinear movement of samemember, said differential drive having an input portion for driving saidoutput portions thereof, a drive means for rotating said member and saidinput portion simultaneously, and other drive means for rotating saidinput portion of said differential drive establishing mechanism ineither of opposite directions to change the speed of said input portionso that rectilinear movement of said member is effected.

4. Apparatus comprising, a member mounted for rectilinear and rotatablemovement, a differential drive establishing mechanism having la portionthereof cooperable to effect rectilinear movement of said member, saiddifferential drive having another portion for driving said firstmentioned portion thereof, a drive means for rotating said member andsaid another portion simultaneously independently of each other, andother drive means for independently driving said another portion of saiddifferential drive establishing mechanism to change the speed of saidanother portion so that rectilinear movement of said member is effected.

5. An apparatus comprising, a support having a first member mountedthereon for rotation about an axis, a second member supported by androtatable with said first member, said second member being rectilinearlymovablerelative to said first member in opposite directions along saidaxis, first input means for rotating said first and second members andfor conditioning said second member for rectilinear movement along saidaxis, and selectively operable second input means operatively connectedto said conditioning means for causing rectilinear movement of saidsecond member in either of opposite directions along said axis.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first member has alongitudinal opening disposed centrally thereof and within which adrilling implement is received and axially guided.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said rotating means andsaid first member have a differential gearing operatively connectedtherebetween to provide for variations in the feeding speed of saidsecond member.

8. In a drill of the character disclosed, a longitudinally extendingsupporting frame, an elongated rotary body mounted on said supportingframe for rotation about an axis coextensive with said frame, a drillingimplement supported within said body for rotation therewith and foraxially feeding movement relative to said body, means for rotating saidbody to effect rotation of the drilling implement comprising a rotatingelement coaxial with said body, and means for feeding said drillingimplement axially relative to said body comprising a feeding elementcoaxial with said body, said rotating means including a motor fordriving said rotating element, said feeding means including differentialgearing driven by said motor for rotating said feeding element at thesame speed and in the same direction as said rotary body without feedingof the drilling implement, said feeding means also including a motor fordriving an element of said differential gearing for rotating saidfeeding element relative to said rotating element to effect feed.

9. A drill as set forth in claim 8 wherein said feeding motor isreversible and is operable for driving said feeding element at variablespeeds in either direction.

l0. In a drilling implement of the character disclosed a longitudinalsupporting frame, an elongated rotary drill frame journaled on saidsupporting frame to rotate about an axis coextensive with saidsupporting frame, said drill frame comprising cylindric endbearing-engaging-portions and a series of tubes extending longitudinallybetween said end portions and secured thereto, said tubes including acentral tube and .tubes arranged circumferentially of the exterior ofsaid central tube and secured thereto, a thrust member movablelongitudinally within and relative to said central tube and to which adrilling implement is attached for connection, feeding means for such adrilling implement for feeding the same longitudinally relative to saidrotary frame including a feed chain having opposite runs extendinglongitudinally within said externally arranged tubes, said central tubehaving a longitudinal slot along a side thereof, said thrust memberhaving a portion extending outwardly through said slot into one of saidexternally arranged tubes and into connection with a run of said feedchain, chain sprockets journaled on said end portions of said drillframe and about which said feed chain passes, and means for driving oneof said sprockets to circulate said feed chain relative to said rotaryframe, and means for rotating said body thereby to rotate the drillingimplement therewith.

ll. A drill comprising a supporting frame, a rotary drill framejournaled on said supporting frame to rotate about an axis extendinglongitudinally of said supporting frame, a movable thrust elementcarried by said rotary frame and guided for movement longitudinallyrelative thereto, said thrust element adapted for attachment to adrilling implement, feeding means for such a drilling implementincluding a feeding element extending longitudinally of said rotaryframe and movable relative thereto, said movable thrust element beingconnected to said feeding element, and means for rotating said rotaryframe to effect rotation of the drilling implement therewith.

l2. A drill as set forth in claim 1l wherein said rotating meansincludes differential gearing through which feeding of the drillingimplement is effected, said feeding means including a motor for rotatingan element of said differential gearing at variable speeds.

13. A drill as set forth in claim 12 wherein a motor is provided fordriving said rotating means and by which an element of said differentialgearing is driven.

14. An apparatus for initiating and varying the rectilinear speed ofmovement in opposite directions of a rotatable elongated member, adifferential drive establishing mechanism having cooperable firstportions thereof rotatable with such elongated member, connecting meansoperatively connected to said first portions and to such elongatedmember for feeding such elongated member, first input drive means forrotating such elongated member, said differential drive including asecond portion cooperably connected to said first portions, second inputdrive means of variable speed for changing the speed being operable ineither of opposite directions and being operatively connected to saidsecond portion and direction of said second portion of said differentialdrive establishing mechanism for actuating said connecting means andmoving said elongated member in a rectilinear path in oppositedirections and at varying speeds depending upon the direction and speedof rotation of said second input drive means.

l5. An apparatus for varying the penetration and retraction speeds of adrilling device comprising a rotatable drill steel support havingrotatably secured thereto a first portion of a dilferential feedestablishing means, means for rotating said support and said firstportion of said differential feed establishing means, said rst portionof said dilerential feed establishing means being in operativeengagement, a second portion of said differential feed establishingmeans and being `rotatable in the same direction and at the same speedas said first portion of said differential means, means connected tosaid rst portion and to said drill steel for feeding said drill steel ineither of opposite directions relative to said support, and meansconnected to said rotating means for changing the direction and thespeed of said second portion of said differential feed establishingmeans in order to vary such penetration 01' retraction speeds of suchdevice.

16. In combination, a supporting frame, a drill frame mounted on saidsupporting frame for rotation about an aXis extending longitudinally ofsaid supporting frame, an elongated drill steel disposed coincident withsuch excess and being rotatable with and rectilinearly movable relativeto said drill frame, means for rotating said drill frame to effectrotation of said drill steel therewith, means for feeding said drillsteel axially relative to said rotary frame including a feeding elementmounted on said rotary frame for movement relative thereto, said feedingmeans includes a differential drive mechanism having the output thereofconnected to said feeding means for feeding said drill steel axiallyrelative to said rotary drill frame, and other differential drivemechanism operable in either of opposite directions being cooperablewith such output of said first mentioned dilerential drive for movingsaid drill steel in either of opposite directions relative to said drillframe along such rectilinear path.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS525,093 Collier Aug. 28, 1894 1,744,223 Hild Jan. 2l, =1930 2,634,950Allen Apr. 14, '1953 2,879,034 Cowan Mar. 24, 1959 2,905,440 GerentesSept. 22, 1959

1. A DRILLING APPARATUS COMPRISING, AN ELONGATED ROTATABLE BODY HAVING ADRILL STEEL ROTATABLE THEREWITH AND RECTILINEARLY MOVABLE RELATIVETHERETO, A FIRST DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE MECHANISM HAVING CERTAIN PORTIONSTHEREOF ROTATABLE WITH SAID BODY, ANOTHER PORTION OF SAID FIRSTDIFFERENTIAL DRIVE BEING ROTATABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BODY AND COOPERABLEWITH SAID CERTAIN PORTIONS BUT BEING ROTATABLE INDEPENDENT OF THEROTATION OF SAID BODY, A SECOND DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE MECHANISM HAVING THEOUTPUT THEREOF OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID ANOTHER PORTION OF SAIDFIRST DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE, FIRST POWER MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID BODY ANDSAID ANOTHER PORTION THROUGH SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE MECHANISMRESPECTIVELY, SECOND POWER MEANS OPERABLE IN EITHER OF OPPOSITEDIRECTIONS AND HAVING THE OUTPUT THEREOF DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO THE YOKEFRAME OF SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE MECHANISM FOR VARYING THE SPEEDAND DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF SUCH OUTPUT OF SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIALDRIVE, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CERTAIN PORTIONS AND TO SAID DRILLSTEEL FOR MOVING SAID DRILL STEEL RECTILINEARLY RELATIVE TO SAID BODY.